Volunteer
Volunteers provide vital services for the animals in our care. Whether you’re socializing cats, walking dogs, helping at an event, or performing adoptions, we couldn’t save lives without you!
Become a Volunteer Today!
The value our volunteers provide to the shelter is priceless. Volunteer activities include basic animal care, dog walking, cat socialization, animal transport, taking photos and writing bios of our animals for our website, representing the Refuge at fundraising events, assisting in grant research, and more! If you have other skills you’d like to share with the Refuge, we’d be happy to hear how you’d like to help!
Note: As of January 2025, we are implementing a waitlist for our main site volunteer program. The wait time will vary but will likely be at least one month or more. This is not a decision we take lightly, nor is it one we particularly enjoy, as we work to continue to function as an inclusive community where individuals can share in the delights of helping the wonderful cats and dogs that come through the shelter. However, we are at a point where the number of prospective volunteers outstrips the core demand for volunteers to complete our current volunteer assignments at the shelter.
At this time, we are still accepting applications for cat adoption and enrichment volunteers at the South Philadelphia PetSmart, so if you are interested in that position and are able to arrange transportation to PetSmart, we would love to have you onboard to assist! You can fill out an application form for that position using the PetSmart Volunteering Interest Form button below. Please note that you do need to be at least 18 years or older to volunteer at PetSmart.
Our Main Shelter Volunteer Program includes a variety of volunteer opportunities, including those listed above, with time slots depending on the specific role. If you are interested in becoming a Main Shelter volunteer, please fill out the interest form below.
Our PetSmart Volunteer Program includes regularly scheduled 3-hour shifts at the South Philadelphia PetSmart, where you’ll provide care and facilitate adoptions for MAR cats. If you are interested in becoming a PetSmart volunteer, please fill out the interest form below.
Please note that you must be at least 14 years old to volunteer at the shelter and minors may require adult supervision. If you are between the ages of 14-17, please fill out the “Under 18” interest form to get started.
For questions, please email us at volunteer@morrisanimalrefuge.org
Do you have a corporate, academic, or other group that you would like to schedule to volunteer at the shelter?
Adventure Tails
Want to spend an entire day with a dog? Sign up for an Adventure Tails Day Trip and you can take one of our adoptable doggies out on the town.
